Biden to travel to Ukraine later this month

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vice President Joe Biden will visit Ukraine later this month to meet with government and citizen leaders.

The White House says Biden will travel to the capital of Kiev on April 22 for a visit that will focus on the international community's efforts to help stabilize and strengthen Ukraine's economy.

The White House said Saturday that Biden also will assist Ukraine in its efforts aimed at constitutional reform, decentralization, anti-corruption, and free and fair presidential elections set for May 25.

As Ukraine deals with possible bankruptcy, uprisings in the east by pro-Russian separatists and Russian troops deployed along the Ukrainian border have unsettled the country.

Biden's trip may overlap slightly with a trip to Asia scheduled by President Barack Obama.